Grace smiled back in disbelief. ‘Thank you, Sir.’

‘I would accompany the men, of course. But I assume you would be willing to assist me?’

‘Of course, Doctor.’ Then another thought struck her. ‘And perhaps Nurse Moore could come, too?’

He frowned. ‘Nurse Moore?’

‘It was her idea.’

‘Was it?’ He looked surprised. ‘But I thought you said you thought of it? After talking to Corporal Sallis?’ he reminded her.

Heat rose in Grace’s face. She had never been very good at lying.

‘Nurse Moore was there, too. And she has had experience with taking men on outings,’ Grace added.

Dr Logan looked thoughtful. ‘I suppose it wouldn’t hurt to have an extra pair of hands.’ He looked up at her. ‘Leave it with me, Nurse. I will make the necessary arrangements.’

‘Thank you, Sir.’

As Grace turned to go, Dr Logan said, ‘Nurse Duffield?’

‘Yes, Sir?’

‘It was an excellent idea. Even if you didn’t think of it.’

It might have been the lamplight reflecting off his spectacles, but Grace could have sworn there was a twinkle in his blue eyes.

‘Thank you, Sir. I’ll be sure to let Nurse Moore know.’

Grace was so pleased and flustered, she barely noticed the skeleton standing sentry by the door until she had collided with it.

CHAPTER FORTY-ONE

Dear Mother.

Thank you for your letter. I’m sorry I haven’t replied sooner but working in the bakery hardly leaves me any time, as I’m sure you well remember! But today is half-day closing so at last I can sit down and write a few lines.

I’m very glad to hear you have found a place to settle at last. Bavaria sounds beautiful – very different from Bethnal Green, but I know you will both be very happy there. And what good news that Papa is setting up another bakery in the village. I’m sure it won’t be long before the customers are queuing up outside the door again, just as they used to here.

We’re all doing well over here, too. As I mentioned in my last letter, I have given up nursing and now I am helping Edward at the bakery. Since Mrs Church left, her nephew Charlie has also gone (and I can’t say I’m sorry about that!) so now there are just the two of us.

I know you were worried about me leaving the Nightingale, and I do miss my friends sometimes, but as Edward says, this is what Papa would have wanted. And I am very happy for us to be working together again at last. Sometimes it almost feels like the old days, when we were all together here …

Anna paused, her pen stilling on the paper, and took a moment to gather herself. Then she continued:

Working in the bakery has done wonders for Edward’s spirits. He has settled back into life in London, and has even made some new friends …

Once again, her hand fell still and she had to force herself to continue.